Monkey on My Back (1957): Cast & Plot
Monkey on My Back is a 1957 drama directed by André De Toth, starring Cameron Mitchell as Barney Ross, Dianne Foster and Kathy Garver. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- André De Toth
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Edward Small Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Monkey on My Back About?
The premise of Monkey on My Back without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film tells the harrowing true story of welterweight champion Barney Ross. Cameron Mitchell portrays Ross, whose rapid rise in boxing is halted when he enlists in the Marines at the start of World II. After contracting malaria overseas, he is given morphine and becomes addicted. Returning home a drug‑dependent boxer, he must confront his addiction before attempting a comeback. The graphic depiction of his descent nearly denied the film a Production Code seal, and despite serving as technical advisor, Ross sued the producers for defamation and lost.
Monkey on My Back Themes & Keywords
· 12 tags- drugsploitation
- boxer
- world war two
- world war two hero
- morphine
- morphine addiction
- boxing champion
- drug addict
- drug addiction
- drugs
- boxing
- based on book
Monkey on My Back Cast & Characters
Cameron Mitchell leads the cast as Barney Ross, with Dianne Foster as Cathy Holland and Kathy Garver as Noreen. Directed by André De Toth; 8 actors are credited in all.
- Director André De Toth
-
Cameron Mitchell as Barney Ross -
Dianne Foster as Cathy Holland - Kathy Garver as Noreen
-
Jack Albertson as Sam Pian
Also Starring in Monkey on My Back
· 4 more- Barry Kelley Big Ralph
- Paul Richards Rico, Drug Pusher (as Paul E. Richards)
- Scotty Beckett Corpsman (uncredited)
- Lisa Golm Barney's Mother
More from André De Toth
More films directed by André De Toth, best-rated first: House of Wax, Play Dirty, Gold for the Caesars and The Mongols.
Monkey on My Back Plot Summary
What happens in Monkey on My Back from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the 1930s, boxer Barney Ross wins the welterweight championship and celebrates with Cathy Holland Dianne Foster, a chorus girl who is also the mother of a daughter named Noreen Kathy Garver. Their moment of triumph is shadowed when Sam Pian [Jack Albertson]—Barney’s longtime trainer—uncovers a risky secret: Barney has placed a $10,000 bet on himself to win the bout. Cathy, caring and hopeful, remains unaware of the gambling that is worming its way into their life, and their budding happiness seems to hinge on keeping the wager hidden from those around them.
Full summary
The whole story of Monkey on My Back, scene by scene
Monkey on My Back Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Monkey on My Back.
How Well Do You Know Monkey on My Back?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Barney Ross's profession?
Monkey on My Back Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Teufel im Nacken” and “Combate decisivo”.
- Also known as
-
- Teufel im Nacken
- Combate decisivo
- Quando la bestia urla
- Quand la bête hurle
- Víctima de la droga
Seen Monkey on My Back?
Movies Like Monkey on My Back
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including To Hell and Back, Marine Raiders and King of the World.
Monkey on My Back FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Monkey on My Back, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Monkey on My Back?
Monkey on My Back runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Monkey on My Back released?
Monkey on My Back was released on May 29, 1957.
Who directed Monkey on My Back?
Monkey on My Back was directed by André De Toth.
More films by André De Toth Who is in the cast of Monkey on My Back?
Monkey on My Back stars Cameron Mitchell as Barney Ross, Dianne Foster as Cathy Holland and Kathy Garver as Noreen, among 8 credited actors.
Does Monkey on My Back have a post-credit scene?
No. Monkey on My Back has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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